Nandi- Hindu CreatureCreature · Beast"Gate-Guardian of Shiva"
Also known as: Nandin, Nandikeshvara, and नन्दि
Description
Every Shiva temple places him first: a kneeling bull of white stone, ears pricked, gazing eternally at the lingam. Devotees whisper prayers into his ear, trusting Nandi will carry their words to his lord on Mount Kailasa.
Mythology & Lore
Shilada's Son
The Shiva Purana tells how the sage Shilada performed severe austerities to obtain a child directly from Shiva. The boy Nandi was born with devotion to Shiva from his first breath. When Shilada learned that his son was fated to die young, Nandi undertook his own fierce tapas. Shiva, pleased by the child's resolve, granted him immortality, made him chief of his ganas, and gave him the form of a divine white bull to serve as his eternal mount and companion.
Guardian of Kailasa
Nandi guards the entrance to Shiva's abode on Mount Kailasa. Before Ganesha was created, he was the sole protector of Shiva and Parvati's dwelling. He leads the gana hosts and accompanies Shiva in all his aspects.
When Ravana attempted to uproot Mount Kailasa and carry it away, Nandi confronted the demon king and cursed him: monkeys would one day bring about his destruction. The Shiva Purana records that Ravana laughed at the bull-faced guardian. The curse was fulfilled when Hanuman burned Lanka and Rama's army of monkeys laid siege to Ravana's kingdom.